Drive a Dodge Today and Help Northville High

Sue Putman of Northville might be in the market for a new car, and by test driving one today, she'll make a donation toward Northville High School's efforts to get artificial turf on its football field.

Participants will be able to test drive the new Dodge Grand Caravan, Journey, Durango, and Charger in the East Parking Lot of . will be donating $20 to the project for each person who comes by to test drive one of the cars on site at Northville High today from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The goal is to raise $5,000. Participants must be 18 or older, with a valid driver's license.

"It sounds like a great opportunity to support a great cause. It's an awesome fundraiser and it will benefit the turf project they are working on," said Putman, a mother of three, including a senior at the school.

There will be no selling at the event, said Nichole Scott, director of dealership operations, though she does see the event as a great way to promote her business and highlight the increase in quality and design of the vehicles.

"It's a time to help the high school, but also make people aware of our dealership and the Dodge product," she said.

Last year, Dodge donated nearly $467,000 to local high school booster clubs through the Dodge Booster Club Fundraiser.

The entire Northville High School turf project will cost about $1 million, said Bryan Masi, Northville's athletic director.

He said the turf and new scoreboard will be paid for by fundraised money. So far, the TurfClub has raised $835,000. Of that, $500,000 came from an anonymous donation followed by a $100,000 donation from the Friends of . Construction on the turf begins May 1.

Masi said the rest of the stadium will be renovated over the next couple of years. Those renovations will be paid for through the school district's sinking bond approved last May. About $1.3 million is designated for the stadium, which will pay for a variety of improvements, including a new pressbox, lights, new entrances and ticket booths.  

"The test drive for turf will be a great way for the community to get involved in raising money for the stadium project," Masi said. "We are thankful to Dick Scott Dodge to give us this opportunity to host this event. Hopefully, we will have a big crowd."